Please find attached the application package for the Kentucky Division of Waste Management’s 2015 Crumb Rubber Landscaping Grant. The application can also be found at our website.

In 2014, some media reports raised concerns about adverse health effects associated with the use of crumb rubber on athletic fields or playgrounds. Our review of the existing scientific information, consisting of numerous small scale studies of the characteristics of crumb rubber in various applications, did not indicate any strong correlation between the use of crumb rubber and adverse health effects. However, due to ongoing questions and concerns, we have decided to suspend grants for the application of crumb rubber on athletic fields or playgrounds until such time that we can more conclusively answer any questions raised by the public.

For those applicants that had intended to pursue a grant for crumb rubber projects for playgrounds or athletic fields, we encourage you to consider applying for this landscaping mulch grant instead. Applications are due at our office no later than 4:30 p.m. in March 16th, 2015. If you have any questions about this grant program, please consult the attached application package or contact Lisa Evans (lisa.evans@ky.gov or 502-564-6716) or myself.

We are anticipating a strong response and encourage you to take advantage of this great grant opportunity.

KIPDA Needs AssessmentThe Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency (KIPDA), Division of Social Services is conducting a needs assessment for Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, and Trimble counties. This needs assessment will help KIPDA determine the needs of older adults, caregivers and persons with disabilities. The information learned will help KIPDA plan their social services for the next 5-6 years. The needs assessment study has been approved by the University of Louisville IRB. Please click the link below to access the survey.

Wal-mart Stores Inc. has begun accepting applications for its new store in Shepherdsville.

The company plans to hire about 300 people to work at the store, which is slated to open in this spring, according to a news release.

WDRB-TV reported in June that the store is Bullitt County’s first and will be located on Conestoga Parkway. The store will be about 180,000 square feet and will have a fuel center, according to the report.

Most of the new hires will begin working in January to prepare the store for its grand opening.

Wal-Mart has opened a temporary hiring center at 1707 Cedar Grove Road, Suite 12, in Shepherdsville’s Cedar Grove Business Park. Applicants also may apply online at careers.walmart.com.

The company said that through its Veterans Welcome Home Commitment, it will offer a job to any qualified veteran who has been honorably discharged in the last 12 months.

Wal-Mart also has plans to build stores on Outer Loop in Okolona, at 18th Street and Broadway in Louisville’s West End, and in Crestwood.

The Salt River Regional Wastewater Workgroup (SRRWW) will hold a public hearing to discuss wastewater treatment alternatives being studied within the Salt River Basin Watershed.

Formed in April 2014 in response to HB26 (2011), the SRRWW consists of representatives from Bullitt County Fiscal Court, Bullitt County Sanitation District, City of Mount Washington, City of Shepherdsville, Louisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District, Oldham County Environmental Authority and the Oldham County Fiscal Court.

A study is currently underway inventorying existing wastewater capacities and assessing projected future needs within the Salt River Basin to determine if the formation of a Regional Wastewater Commission is recommended.

In an effort to solicit public comment, three hearings were held in late September and early October at the 30% completion point of the study. The next public hearing was on Thursday December 4th at the 60% point. This meeting will review the final findings of the study for presentation to local officials. The meeting will be at KIPDA (11520 Commonwealth Drive, Louisville, KY 40299) in the Burke Room on Monday January 12th at 10:00 am.

Anyone interested in testifying at the hearings may contact David Abell, (502.266.6084, David.Abell@ky.gov) or register at the hearing.

As County Judge Executive, I have seen and heard quite a bit of misinformation concerning the Federal Emergency management Agency (FEMA) Flood Hazard Maps. I, along with over 2,000 other property owners are affected by this plan.

For the past few months I have been working with the Division of Water and local governments to secure funding to mitigate the possibility of flooding. We are looking at various ways to fund these projects. We are also working with FEMA to roll back to the previous flood levels. We have funded engineering studies to best identify who is affected by FEMA’s plan and to get the information to you as quickly as possible.

You should CALL YOUR INSURANCE AGENT IMMEDIATELY. You may be grandfathered in at your present rate. The grandfathering period will only last six months. You can call your senator and representative to address this federal issue – Senator McConnell, Senator Paul and Representative Guthrie. They need to know your concerns since this is a federal issue.

My office is available to listen and help with any and all concerns relating to this federal government mandate. Contact me directly at 543-2262 or on my cell at 819-8646.

The Bullitt County SummerWorks program is an exciting program through KentuckianaWorks that helps our local youth obtain local employment. We are very happy to announce that the Bullitt County SummerWorks program now has 41 youth who are direct placements for 2014! The year is not over yet, and we’ve already surpassed our goal of 40 youth placements this year. Thank you to all those who have been a part of this program.

Two days are being scheduled to give the residents of Bullitt County an opportunity to get rid of large items such as mattresses, old appliances, furniture, etc. The locations listed below will have receptacles available for disposal of your items. County employees will be supervising at each location.

SATURDAY APRIL 26, 2014 FROM 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

1. NICHOLS FIRE DEPARTMENT PARKING LOT ( NEW LOCATION )

2. NORTH BULLITT HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT

3. BULLITT EAST HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT

SATURDAY MAY 10, 2014 FROM 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

1. LEBANON JUNCTION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PARKING LOT

2. OLD SHEPHERDSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT

THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED:

1. YARD WASTE, TREE LIMBS, LOGS, ETC.

2. GARBAGE

3. TIRES

4. ITEMS CONTAINING FREON

5. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

This event is sponsored by Bullitt County Fiscal Court. Any questions should be directed to the Office of the Bullitt County Judge Executive, Melanie J. Roberts, at 543-2262.